There are several different species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, but none have been reported as significant pests of daylilies. They are seen on daylilies from time to time, however, so are included here for identification purposes. Leafhoppers are usually less than a half inch in length and mostly cream, yellow, green or brown in color. Typical feeding damage on other plants involves piercing leaf tissues and sucking out the juices, resulting in whitish or yellowish stippling, and sometimes stunting and distortion with curled brown leaf tips and edges. Leafhoppers are important vectors of a number of serious plant diseases. They often run sideways when disturbed, or hop away. There may be two to five generations a year. If control is considered necessary, a forceful spray of water from a hose may remove young leafhoppers which cannot yet fly. Insecticidal soap should also be effective.
Image used with permission from University of California Statewide IPM Project, Jack Kelly Clark, photographer. Any additional uses of this image must be received from the copyright holder directly – AHS does not have permission to grant additional usage of this image for any purposes
See also: Pests
